Closed
Source verified May 1, 2026
Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions
Core funding for leading Canadian arts organizations
Funding available
Up to 25% of project cost
Deadline
January 16, 2025
Opened July 9, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides core funding of up to 25% of average annual revenues over the last three years for major Canadian arts organizations. It supports artistic programming, public outreach, and activities that strengthen artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Up to 25% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- $ 2,000,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Canadians
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing and promoting artistic programming
- Building public outreach
- Supporting artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector
Documents Needed
- Completed Appendices document
- CADAC data and recent financial statements
- Deficit reduction plan, if required
- Most recent Respectful Workplace/Anti-Harassment Policy
- At least one item of support material
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Artistic organizations
- Major Canadian arts organizations rooted in their communities
Who is not eligible
- First-time applicants to core funding
- Organizations that do not presently receive core support from this component
- Organizations that already hold another core grant and have not confirmed eligibility with a program officer
- Organizations that do not meet the program’s core organizational requirements
Eligible expenses
- All expenses related to developing and promoting artistic programming.
- All expenses related to public outreach.
- All expenses related to supporting artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities funded by another Canada Council program.
- Activities on the general list of ineligible activities.
Selection criteria
- Artistic leadership: mission, artistic vision, artistic standards, and support for Canadian artists and work.
- Engagement: public impact, diversity, and leadership in the sector.
- Resilience: organizational capacity, working conditions, and financial health.
- Respectful and ethical cultural and artistic practices, including Indigenous protocols where relevant.
How to apply
- Step 1: Confirm eligibility and contact a program officer if transferring a core grant
- Check that the organization meets the program requirements.
- Contact a program officer before applying if moving from another core grant component.
- Step 2: Prepare the application in the portal
- Complete the application form in the client portal.
- Provide the required narrative, financial, and statistical information.
- Upload the required documents and support material.
- Step 3: Submit the application by the deadline
- Submit the full application in the portal before the deadline.
- Step 4: Await the decision
- Results are usually issued within 8 months of the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed by a peer assessment committee.
- Decisions are based on weighted assessment criteria.
- Results are usually communicated within 8 months of the deadline.
- If successful, the organization must complete a Grant Acceptance Form before payment.
- Recipients must later submit required reports and financial information.
Additional information
- Applications are reviewed by a peer assessment committee.
- Successful applicants must complete a Grant Acceptance Form before payment.
- Recipients must submit reports, including CADAC data and financial statements.
- A translation of the application may be required, depending on the organization type.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions Program
What is the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions?
This program provides core funding of up to 25% of average annual revenues over the last three years for major Canadian arts organizations. It supports artistic programming, public outreach, and activities that strengthen artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector.
How much funding can be received?
Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 16, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions program?
To be eligible for the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions program, you must:
Presently receive core support
Incorporated not-for-profit arts organization
Annual revenues above $2 million
What expenses are eligible under Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions?
Developing and promoting artistic programming
Building public outreach
Supporting artistic practice and the Canadian arts sector
Who can I contact for more information about the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions?
You can contact Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).
Where is the Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions available?
The Engage and Sustain — Artistic Institutions program is available across Canada.